ST. PAUL, Minn. — A shocking incident unfolded when federal immigration agents forcibly entered a Minnesota residence, detaining U.S. citizen ChongLy “Scott” Thao at gunpoint, according to accounts from his family and video footage reviewed by the Associated Press. The raid occurred Sunday afternoon, prompting Thao's daughter-in-law to alert him to the agents banging on the door. Against Thao's wishes not to open the door, agents burst in with guns drawn, intimidating the family in their own home. I was shaking, Thao recounted, emphasizing that the agents did not present a warrant before breaking down the door.
Amid a surge of federal immigration operations in the Twin Cities, local leaders and residents have expressed growing discontent over warrantless arrests and aggressive tactics employed by ICE. “They’re not going after hardened criminals. They’re going after anyone and everyone in their path,” stated St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, emphasizing the un-American nature of such actions.
The ordeal escalated as Thao was taken outside in just his underwear and sandals, wrapped only in a blanket as his young grandson looked on in horror. Despite his requests to present identification, the officers refused, leading Thao away to an undisclosed location to photograph him in the biting cold. It was only after realizing he was a law-abiding citizen that agents returned him home—leaving without any apology for their invasive conduct.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed the operation targeted two convicted sex offenders believed to reside at Thao’s address. However, Thao's family disputes these claims, asserting that they live alone in the home and asserting the inaccuracy surrounding the alleged offenders’ identities.
Thao's family voiced their distress over the ordeal, recounting their history as refugees from Laos following the Vietnam War, where they supported the U.S. in covert operations. Feeling unsafe and threatened, Thao plans to file a civil rights lawsuit, emphasizing that he has done nothing wrong and asserting a loss of security in his own home.
Amid a surge of federal immigration operations in the Twin Cities, local leaders and residents have expressed growing discontent over warrantless arrests and aggressive tactics employed by ICE. “They’re not going after hardened criminals. They’re going after anyone and everyone in their path,” stated St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, emphasizing the un-American nature of such actions.
The ordeal escalated as Thao was taken outside in just his underwear and sandals, wrapped only in a blanket as his young grandson looked on in horror. Despite his requests to present identification, the officers refused, leading Thao away to an undisclosed location to photograph him in the biting cold. It was only after realizing he was a law-abiding citizen that agents returned him home—leaving without any apology for their invasive conduct.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed the operation targeted two convicted sex offenders believed to reside at Thao’s address. However, Thao's family disputes these claims, asserting that they live alone in the home and asserting the inaccuracy surrounding the alleged offenders’ identities.
Thao's family voiced their distress over the ordeal, recounting their history as refugees from Laos following the Vietnam War, where they supported the U.S. in covert operations. Feeling unsafe and threatened, Thao plans to file a civil rights lawsuit, emphasizing that he has done nothing wrong and asserting a loss of security in his own home.
